JP7680736B2 - Label issuing device, system, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a label issuing device , a system, and a program .

Technology is known for printing discount information on product labels (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-185731 A

However, there is room for improvement when it comes to discounts.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a technology that can more effectively realize discounts.

One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a label issuing device that issues product labels, comprising: a receiving means for receiving information about the product for which the product label is to be issued; and an issuing means for issuing a product label including at least the product name, the selling price, and the expiration date or best-before date of the product, wherein the receiving means is capable of receiving information about a discount, and when the receiving means has received information about a discount, the issuing means issues a product label on which the selling date of the product and discount notification information notifying that a discount will be applied are printed in an area different from the area in which the expiration date or best-before date of the product is printed.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a network for explaining the sales system of the present embodiment. 1 is an example of a product label. 13 is a display example of a display device. 1 is an example of a file used in a sales system. 1 is an example of a file used in a sales system. 1 is an example of a file used in a sales system. 1 is an example of a file used in a sales system. 1 is an example of a file used in a sales system. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a discount. 13 is an example of a project setting screen. 13 is a display example of a label printing device. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the label printing device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a barcode. 1 is an example of a file used in a sales system. 13 is a display example of a registration settlement device. 13 is a display example of a mobile terminal. 13 is a display example of a mobile terminal.

Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of a network for explaining the sales system 1 of this embodiment. Figure 2 is an example of a product label. Figure 3 is an example of a display on the display device 60.

The sales system 1 shown in FIG. 1(A) includes a server 10, a store controller 20 (e.g., a server, etc.), a label printing device 30, a transaction status management device 40 (e.g., a personal computer, etc.), a registration and settlement device 50, a display device 60 (e.g., a signage, etc.), and a mobile terminal 70.

The store controller 20, label printing device 30, transaction status management device 40, registration and settlement device 50, and display device 60 are communicatively connected via a LAN 19 (which may be wired or wireless). The store controller 20 is capable of communicating with a server 10. The sales system 1 can be introduced in various stores (supermarkets, convenience stores, drug stores, home centers, electronics retailers, etc.).

In FIG. 1, the number of each device (terminal) is an example. For example, in FIG. 1, "..." is illustrated to the right of the registered settlement device 50, but the number of registered settlement devices 50 may be one or more.

The sales system 1 provides services in which a customer uses a registration and settlement device 50 to register and settle products, or in which a customer uses a mobile terminal 70 to register products and settle using the registration and settlement device 50. Although not shown in the figures, the sales system 1 can also provide services in which a store clerk registers products using a registration device (not shown) and the customer settles using a settlement device (not shown).

The server 10 is installed outside the store (e.g., at the head office or a data center) and manages the entire sales system 1. The server 10 stores, for example, various information required for the operation of each service (e.g., product master (product file), customer master, various files) and performance information of the services in the store (e.g., sales performance information, product sales performance information, etc.). The server 10 communicates with each device in the LAN 19 (e.g., the label printing device 30, the transaction status management device 40, the registration and settlement device 50, the display device 60) via (or without) the store controller 20. The server 10 may be composed of multiple servers.

The store controller 20 is a device that controls the part of the sales system 1 that is related to the store. The store controller 20 communicates with the server 10 and each device in the LAN 19. For example, the store controller 20 transmits information stored in the server 10 to each device in the LAN 19.

The label printing device 30 is installed, for example, in the back yard and used by store staff. The label printing device mainly prints and issues product labels for products (e.g., boxed lunches, prepared meals, etc.) produced within the store. The label printing device 30 prints and issues product labels, for example, as shown in Figures 2(A) to 2(D). Details of Figures 2(A) to 2(D) will be described later.

The label printing device 30 includes, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, a display unit, a printing unit, and a communication unit. The display unit may be, for example, a liquid crystal display capable of receiving touch operations.

The label printing device 30 may be a weighing device (weighing pricing device) having an external appearance as shown in FIG. 1(B). In other words, the label printing device 30 (weighing device) may weigh a product and print and issue a product label for the product after weighing. The label printing device (weighing device) 30 may include, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, a display unit (reference number 302 in FIG. 1(B)), a printing unit (reference number 303 in FIG. 1(B)), a communication unit, and a weighing unit (reference number 301 in FIG. 1(B)).

The label printing device 30 may be a packaging device (weighing and pricing packaging device) having an appearance as shown in FIG. 1(C). In other words, the label printing device 30 (packaging device) may weigh a product placed on a packaged item (foam tray, clear tray, etc.), package the product in film (vinyl chloride, polypropylene film, etc.) after weighing, print, issue, and attach a product label to the film. The label printing device (packaging device) 30 may include, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, a display unit (reference number 312 in FIG. 1(C)), a printing unit, a communication unit, a weighing unit, and a packaging unit.

The label printing device 30 may further include a scanner unit capable of reading barcodes (e.g., store clerk codes, etc.), an operation unit with one or more buttons, and a hard disk (or SSD (Solid State Drive)).

The transaction status management device 40 is used by store staff and is a device that mainly manages each device in the LAN 19. For example, the transaction status management device 40 communicates with each device in the LAN 19 and monitors the processing status, operating status (operating status), etc. of each device in the LAN 19. The transaction status management device 40 also communicates with the server 10 via (or without) the store controller 20.

The registered settlement device 50 is a so-called full-self POS register that is mainly used by customers. The registered settlement device 50 is equipped with, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, a hard disk (or SSD), a scanner unit, a display unit, a payment unit, a printing unit, a communication unit, an imaging unit, and a sign pole. The registered settlement device 50 is equipped with a non-cash payment unit using non-cash (card) as the payment unit. The registered settlement device 50 may be equipped with a cash payment unit using cash instead of or in addition to the non-cash payment unit as the payment unit.

The display device 60 is installed in the store and mainly displays various information (e.g., product discount information) to customers. For example, the display device 60 displays product discount information as shown in Figures 3(A) to 3(E). Details of Figures 3(A) to 3(E) will be described later.

The mobile terminal 70 is a terminal that allows customers to register products at the product display area. In addition to communication and imaging functions (camera), the mobile terminal 70 also has a recognition function that recognizes various codes (barcodes, two-dimensional codes, etc.). For example, the mobile terminal 70 recognizes barcodes attached to products. For example, the mobile terminal 70 may extract feature points within an image captured by the imaging function (an image acquired as a through image (live view)) and recognize objects (various codes). The mobile terminal 70 may be owned by an individual customer (or corporation), or may be loaned by the store.

The discounts according to the embodiment will be described below. For ease of explanation, the business hours of the store that has introduced the sales system 1 will be as follows:

(Store hours)
The store's business hours are 12 hours, from 10am to 10pm.
(Manufacture of products to which product labels are affixed)
In this store, products (boxed lunches, side dishes, etc.) are manufactured twice a day, and the manufactured products are labeled and displayed in the store. Specifically, the flow is: start of manufacturing → completion of manufacturing → printing, issuing, and attaching labels → display in the store. The first time, at 11:00 a.m. before noon, product labels are attached to the products that were manufactured at that time (11:00 a.m.) and displayed in the store, and the second time, at 4:00 p.m. in the evening, product labels are attached to the products that were manufactured at that time (4:00 p.m.) and displayed in the store.
(The length of the expiration date of the product to which the product label is affixed)
The store manufactures two types of products with different expiration dates (the time between production (display) and expiration date). Specifically, the store manufactures a product with an expiration date of 12 hours and a product with an expiration date of 24 hours.
(Expiration date, sell-by date)
In this store, products with expiration dates are sold at least two hours before the expiration date. In this store, products that will reach their expiration date outside of business hours (10:00 PM to 10:00 AM) are sold during business hours (10:00 AM to 10:00 PM).

Figures 4 to 8 are examples of files used in the sales system 1. Figure 4 is an example of a sales management type file. The sales management type file shown in Figure 4 stores the contents of each sales management type. The sales management type is a type of product grouped by a combination of production time and expiration date length. Sales management type "01" is a type of product (group) manufactured at 11:00 (before noon) with an expiration date length of 12 hours. Sales management type "02" is a type of product (group) manufactured at 11:00 (before noon) with an expiration date length of 24 hours. Sales management type "03" is a type of product (group) manufactured at 16:00 (evening) with an expiration date length of 12 hours. Sales management type "04" is a type of product (group) manufactured at 16:00 (evening) with an expiration date length of 24 hours. The sales management type file shown in Figure 4 stores the above-mentioned contents for each sales management type.

Figure 5 is an example of a product master (product file). Prior to printing and issuing product labels, information about the products (manufactured products) for which product labels are to be printed and issued is registered in the product master. There are no particular limitations on the device that registers the information in the product master. The product master shown in Figure 5 stores the product name, sales price (excluding tax), expiration date, etc. in association with the product code. Note that a product master that stores information about products for which product labels are to be printed and issued may be prepared separately from the product master for products purchased from manufacturers (products with barcodes).

Figure 6 is an example of a best-by date/sale-by date correspondence file. The best-by date/sale-by date correspondence file shown in Figure 6 stores best-by dates and sell-by dates in association with each other. For example, the best-by date "5pm today" and sell-by date "3pm today" are stored in the best-by date/sale-by date correspondence file shown in Figure 6 (symbol a in Figure 6). The stored content indicates that the sell-by date of a product with a best-by date of "5pm today" is "3pm today" (the sell-by date of a product with a best-by date of "5pm today" is "3pm today").

According to the expiration date sales expiration correspondence information file shown in FIG. 6, the sales deadline for a product with an expiration date of "today at 23:00" is "today at 21:00" (symbol b in FIG. 6). In other words, the sales deadline is "today at 21:00", two hours before the expiration date "today at 23:00". Also, the sales deadline for a product with an expiration date of "tomorrow at 1:00" is "today at 22:00" (symbol c in FIG. 6). In other words, two hours before the expiration date "tomorrow at 1:00" is "today at 23:00 (outside business hours)", so the sales deadline is advanced to "today at 22:00". Also, the sales deadline for a product with an expiration date of "tomorrow at 4:00" is "today at 22:00" (symbol d in FIG. 6). In other words, two hours before the expiration date "tomorrow at 4:00" is "tomorrow at 2:00 (outside business hours)", so the sales deadline is advanced to "today at 22:00". Also, the sales deadline for a product with an expiration date of "tomorrow at 11:00" is "today at 22:00" (symbol e in FIG. 6). In other words, two hours before the expiration date "11:00 the next day" is "9:00 the next day (outside business hours)", so the sales deadline is moved up to "22:00 today". Also, the sales deadline for a product with an expiration date of "12:00 the next day" is "22:00 today" (symbol f in Figure 6). In other words, two hours before the expiration date "12:00 the next day" is "10:00 the next day (opening time)" (because the products will be collected at opening time), the sales deadline is moved up to "22:00 today". Also, the sales deadline for a product with an expiration date of "16:00 the next day" is "14:00 the next day" (symbol g in Figure 6). In other words, the sales deadline is "14:00 the next day", two hours before the expiration date "16:00 the next day".

Note that the expiration date/sales date correspondence information file shown in Figure 6 stores the sales date for each hour from "17:00 today (symbol a)" to "16:00 the next day (symbol g)", but the expiration date/sales date correspondence information file only needs to store sales date for at least four expiration dates: 23:00 today (symbol b), 4:00 the next day (symbol d), 11:00 the next day (symbol e), and 16:00 the next day (symbol g). In other words, as mentioned above, products are manufactured twice a day (11 am and 4 pm) and there are two types of expiration dates (12-hour products, 24-hour products), so the expiration date/sales date correspondence information file may store sales dates for four types of expiration dates: today at 11 pm (the expiration date for products manufactured at 11 am and with an expiration date length of 12 hours), the next day at 4 am (the expiration date for products manufactured at 4 pm and with an expiration date length of 12 hours), the next day at 11 am (the expiration date for products manufactured at 11 am and with an expiration date length of 24 hours), and the next day at 4 pm (the expiration date for products manufactured at 4 pm and with an expiration date length of 24 hours).

Figure 7 is an example of a plan setting file that stores the setting contents of a discount plan (hereinafter, discount plan). The plan setting file shown in Figure 7 stores the plan name and plan contents in association with the plan code. The plan code is identification information that identifies the discount plan. The plan name is the name of the discount plan. The plan contents are the contents (setting information) of the discount plan.

The contents of discount plans will be explained with concrete examples. For example, the contents of the plan for plan code "00001" are "3 hours of business remaining until the sales deadline: 15% discount" and "2 hours of business remaining until the sales deadline: 20% discount" (symbol a in Figure 7). The contents of the plan indicate that the 1-hour business hours between the time when there are 3 hours of business remaining until the sales deadline and the time when there are 2 hours of business remaining until the sales deadline will be discounted by 15%, and that the 2-hour business hours between the time when there are 2 hours of business remaining until the sales deadline and the time when there are 0 hours of business remaining until the sales deadline (the sales deadline) will be discounted by 20% (as set).

In other words, for example, if the sales deadline for a certain product is 9 PM today (for example, in the case of symbol b in Figure 6), the product will be discounted by 15% during the one hour of business (6 PM today to 7 PM today) between the time when there are three hours of business left until the sales deadline (6 PM today) and the time when there are two hours of business left until the sales deadline (7 PM today), and the product will be discounted by 20% during the two hours of business (7 PM today to 9 PM today) between the time when there are two hours of business left until the sales deadline (7 PM today) and the time when there are zero hours of business left until the sales deadline (9 PM today, which is the sales deadline). In addition, if the sales deadline for a certain product is 2 p.m. the next day (for example, in the case of symbol g in FIG. 6), the product will be discounted by 15% during the one hour of business (11 a.m. to 12 p.m. the next day) between the time when there are three hours of business left until the sales deadline (11 a.m. the next day) and the time when there are two hours of business left until the sales deadline (12 p.m. the next day), and the product will be discounted by 20% during the two hours of business (12 p.m. to 2 p.m. the next day) between the time when there are two hours of business left until the sales deadline (12 p.m. the next day) and the time when there are zero hours of business left until the sales deadline (the sales deadline at 2 p.m. the next day).

For example, the plan contents of the plan code "00004" are "5 hours of business remaining until the sales deadline: 5% discount", "4 hours of business remaining until the sales deadline: 10% discount", "3 hours of business remaining until the sales deadline: 30% discount", and "2 hours of business remaining until the sales deadline: 50% discount" (symbol b in FIG. 7). The plan contents indicate that the 1-hour business hours between the time when there are 5 hours of business remaining until the sales deadline and the time when there are 4 hours of business remaining until the sales deadline are 5% discount, the 1-hour business hours between the time when there are 4 hours of business remaining until the sales deadline and the time when there are 3 hours of business remaining until the sales deadline are 10% discount, the 1-hour business hours between the time when there are 3 hours of business remaining until the sales deadline and the time when there are 2 hours of business remaining until the sales deadline are 30% discount, and the 2-hour business hours between the time when there are 2 hours of business remaining until the sales deadline and the time when there are 0 hours of business remaining until the sales deadline are 50% discount (each of which is set).

In other words, for example, if the sales deadline for a certain product is today at 9 p.m. (for example, in the case of symbol b in Figure 6), the product will be discounted by 5% for the one hour (today at 4 p.m. to today at 5 p.m.) between the time when there are five hours left until the sales deadline (today at 4 p.m.) and the time when there are four hours left until the sales deadline (today at 5 p.m.) and for the one hour (today at 5 p.m. to today at 6 p.m.) between the time when there are four hours left until the sales deadline (today at 5 p.m.) and the time when there are three hours left until the sales deadline (today at 6 p.m.) This indicates that the product will be discounted by 10% during the one hour business hours (6:00 p.m. today) between the time when there are three hours of business left until the sales deadline (6:00 p.m. today) and the time when there are two hours of business left until the sales deadline (7:00 p.m. today), and that the product will be discounted by 30% during the one hour business hours (6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. today) between the time when there are two hours of business left until the sales deadline (7:00 p.m. today) and the time when there are zero hours of business left until the sales deadline (9:00 p.m. today, which is the sales deadline). In addition, if the sales deadline for a certain product is 2 p.m. the next day (for example, in the case of symbol g in FIG. 6), the product will be discounted by 5% for the one hour (21:00 to 22:00 today) between the time when there are five hours left until the sales deadline (21:00 today) and the time when there are four hours left until the sales deadline (22:00 today), and for the one hour (10:00 to 11:00 the next day) between the time when there are four hours left until the sales deadline (10:00 the next day) and the time when there are three hours left until the sales deadline (11:00 the next day), This indicates that the product will be discounted by 10%, 30% for the 1 hour (11am to 12pm the next day) between the time when there are 3 hours left until the sale deadline (11am the next day) and the time when there are 2 hours left until the sale deadline (12pm the next day), and 50% for the 2 hours (12pm to 2pm the next day) between the time when there are 2 hours left until the sale deadline (12pm the next day) and the time when there are 0 hours left until the sale deadline (the sale deadline at 2pm the next day).

For example, the plan contents of plan code "00005" are "5 hours of business hours remaining until the sales deadline: set as appropriate", "4 hours of business hours remaining until the sales deadline: set as appropriate", "3 hours of business hours remaining until the sales deadline: set as appropriate", and "2 hours of business hours remaining until the sales deadline: set as appropriate" (symbol c in FIG. 7). The plan contents indicate that the discount rates for the 1 hour of business hours between 5 hours remaining until the sales deadline and 4 hours remaining until the sales deadline, the 1 hour of business hours between 4 hours remaining until the sales deadline and 3 hours remaining until the sales deadline, the 1 hour of business hours between 3 hours remaining until the sales deadline and 2 hours remaining until the sales deadline, and the 2 hours of business hours between 2 hours remaining until the sales deadline and 0 hours remaining until the sales deadline (the sales deadline) will be set as appropriate (not set in advance).

Figure 8 (A) is an example of a sales management type mark setting file that stores the setting contents of the sales management type mark (symbol, image, etc.). The sales management type mark setting file shown in Figure 8 (A) stores sales management type marks in association with sales management types. The sales management type mark for sales management type "01" (product manufactured at 11:00 and with a 12-hour expiration date) is "A". The sales management type mark for sales management type "02" (product manufactured at 11:00 and with a 24-hour expiration date) is "B". The sales management type mark for sales management type "03" (product manufactured at 16:00 and with a 12-hour expiration date) is "C". The sales management type mark for sales management type "04" (product manufactured at 16:00 and with a 24-hour expiration date) is "B".

Figure 8 (B) is an example of a planning mark setting file that stores the setting contents of a planning mark (symbol, image, etc.). The planning mark setting file shown in Figure 8 (B) stores a planning mark in association with a planning code. Note that the planning mark setting file may store the planning mark itself, or may store information that identifies the planning mark. The same applies to the product label issuance file (described below) and discount schedule file (described below).

In the project mark setting file shown in Figure 8 (B), chopsticks are set (stored) as the project mark for project code "00001" (project 1) (symbol a in Figure 8 (B)), a spoon is set as the project mark for project code "00002" (project 2) (symbol b in Figure 8 (B)), a fork is set as the project mark for project code "00003" (project 3) (symbol c in Figure 8 (B)), a knife is set as the project mark for project code "00004" (project 4) (symbol d in Figure 8 (B)), and a cup is set as the project mark for project code "00005" (project 5) (symbol e in Figure 8 (B)).

The files shown in Figures 4 to 8 may be stored in any device used by the store clerk, so long as they can be accessed from each device (label printing device 30, transaction status management device 40, registration and settlement device 50, display device 60, mobile terminal 70). However, devices used by customers rather than store clerks (registration and settlement device 50, mobile terminal 70) do not display the entire information even when accessing each file (they only inquire about the contents of the file). The same applies to the product label issuance file (described below) and discount schedule file (described below).

Figure 9 is a diagram explaining discounts. Specifically, Figure 9 (A) shows the schedule for sales management type "01" (products manufactured at 11:00 with a 12-hour expiration date). Figure 9 (B) shows the schedule for sales management type "02" (products manufactured at 11:00 with a 24-hour expiration date). Figure 9 (C) shows the schedule for sales management type "03" (products manufactured at 16:00 with a 12-hour expiration date). Figure 9 (D) shows the schedule for sales management type "04" (products manufactured at 16:00 with a 24-hour expiration date).

In Figures 9 (A) to 9 (D), "No Plan" indicates that no discount plan will be applied. "Plan 1" indicates that plan 1 with plan code "00001" will be applied. "Plan 2" indicates that plan 2 with plan code "00002" will be applied. "Plan 3" indicates that plan 3 with plan code "00003" will be applied. "Plan 4" indicates that plan 4 with plan code "00004" will be applied. "Plan 5" indicates that plan 5 with plan code "00005" will be applied.

In Figures 9 (A) to 9 (D), a "discount mark" is a mark related to a discount. The discount mark is a mark that combines a promotion mark (Figure 8 (B)) and a sales management type mark (Figure 8 (A)). The discount mark is printed on the product label of a product to which a discount promotion applies (Figure 2). The discount mark is displayed on the display device 60 when a discount is being applied (Figure 3).

(Product with sales management type "01")
The sales management type mark of the sales management type "01" is "A". As described above, the discount mark is a combination of the plan mark and the sales management type mark. The plan mark of the plan 1 is chopsticks, the plan mark of the plan 2 is spoon, the plan mark of the plan 3 is fork, the plan mark of the plan 4 is knife, and the plan mark of the plan 5 is cup. Therefore, the discount mark when the plan 1 is applied to the product of the sales management type "01" is a mark that combines the plan mark "chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "A". In other words, when the plan 1 is applied to the product of the sales management type "01", a discount mark that combines the plan mark "chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "A" is printed on the product label. "Chopsticks + A" in the column of the plan 1 in FIG. 9 (A) indicates that the discount mark is a mark that combines the plan mark "chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "A". The discount mark when the plan 2 is applied to the product of the sales management type "01" is a mark that combines the plan mark "spoon" and the sales management type mark "A". That is, when the plan 2 is applied to a product with a sales management type of "01", a discount mark that combines the plan mark "spoon" and the sales management type mark "A" is printed on the product label. "Spoon + A" in the column of the plan 1 in FIG. 9(A) indicates that the discount mark is a mark that combines the plan mark "spoon" and the sales management type mark "A". When the plan 3 is applied to a product with a sales management type of "01", a discount mark that combines the plan mark "fork" and the sales management type mark "A" is printed on the product label. "Fork + A" in the column of the plan 1 in FIG. 9(A) indicates that the discount mark is a mark that combines the plan mark "fork" and the sales management type mark "A". When the plan 4 is applied to a product with a sales management type of "01", a discount mark that combines the plan mark "knife" and the sales management type mark "A" is printed on the product label. That is, when project 4 is applied to a product with a sales management type of "01", a discount mark that combines the project mark "knife" and the sales management type mark "A" is printed on the product label. "Knife + A" in the project 1 column of FIG. 9(A) indicates that the discount mark is a mark that combines the project mark "knife" and the sales management type mark "A". When project 5 is applied to a product with a sales management type of "01", a discount mark that combines the project mark "cup" and the sales management type mark "A" is printed on the product label. "Cup + A" in the project 1 column of FIG. 9(A) indicates that the discount mark is a mark that combines the project mark "cup" and the sales management type mark "A".

As shown at the bottom of Figure 9 (A), the expiration date for a product with sales management type "01" is 11:00 PM today. The sales deadline is 9:00 PM today. The available time for purchase is 10 hours (11:00 AM to 9:00 PM today). Therefore, the time when there are 5 hours of business left until the sales deadline is 4:00 PM today. The time when there are 4 hours of business left until the sales deadline is 5:00 PM today. The time when there are 3 hours of business left until the sales deadline is 6:00 PM today. The time when there are 2 hours of business left until the sales deadline is 7:00 PM today.

Therefore, when plan 1 is applied to a product with sales management type "01", as shown in the plan 1 column of Figure 9 (A), the product will be sold at a 15% discount for the one hour from 18:00 to 19:00 today, and at a 20% discount for the two hours from 19:00 to 21:00 today. When plan 2 is applied to a product with sales management type "01", as shown in the plan 2 column of Figure 9 (A), the product will be sold at a 5% discount for the one hour from 16:00 to 17:00 today, at a 10% discount for the one hour from 17:00 to 18:00 today, at a 15% discount for the one hour from 18:00 to 19:00 today, and at a 20% discount for the two hours from 19:00 to 21:00 today. When plan 3 is applied to a product with sales management type "01", the product will be sold at a 30% discount for one hour from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM today, and at a 50% discount for two hours from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM today, as shown in the plan 3 column in Fig. 9(A). When plan 4 is applied to a product with sales management type "01", the product will be sold at a 5% discount for one hour from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM today, at a 10% discount for one hour from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM today, at a 30% discount for one hour from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM today, and at a 50% discount for two hours from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM today, as shown in the plan 4 column in Fig. 9(A). When plan 5 is applied to a product with sales management type "01", as shown in the plan 5 column in Figure 9 (A), the discount rates for the one hour from 4pm to 5pm today, the one hour from 5pm to 6pm today, the one hour from 6pm to 7pm today, and the two hours from 7pm to 9pm today are undetermined. In other words, plan 5 is a plan that allows you to set discounts after the product is put on display, based on sales, etc. Plan 5 allows you to respond flexibly to the situation by looking at the sales status of the product after it is put on display.

(Product with sales management type "02")
The sales management type mark for the sales management type "02" is "B". Therefore, the discount mark when the plan 1 is applied to a product with the sales management type "02" is a mark that combines the plan mark "chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "B". In other words, when the plan 1 is applied to a product with the sales management type "02", a discount mark that combines the plan mark "chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "B" is printed on the product label. "Chopsticks + B" in the column for the plan 1 in FIG. 9(B) indicates that the discount mark is a mark that combines the plan mark "chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "B". Similarly, as shown in FIG. 9(B), the discount mark when the plan 2 is applied to a product with the sales management type "02" is a mark that combines the plan mark "spoon" and the sales management type mark "B". The discount mark when the plan 3 is applied to a product with the sales management type "02" is a mark that combines the plan mark "fork" and the sales management type mark "B". When applying plan 4 to a product with sales management type "02", the discount mark will be a combination of the plan mark "knife" and the sales management type mark "B". When applying plan 5 to a product with sales management type "02", the discount mark will be a combination of the plan mark "cup" and the sales management type mark "B".

As shown at the bottom of Figure 9 (B), the expiration date for a product with sales management type "02" is 11:00 the next day. The sales deadline is 22:00 today. The purchase time is 11 hours (11:00 today to 22:00 today). Therefore, the time when there are 5 hours of business left until the sales deadline is 17:00 today. The time when there are 4 hours of business left until the sales deadline is 18:00 today. The time when there are 3 hours of business left until the sales deadline is 19:00 today. The time when there are 2 hours of business left until the sales deadline is 20:00 today.

Therefore, when plan 1 is applied to a product with sales management type "02", as shown in the plan 1 column of Figure 9 (B), the product will be sold at a 15% discount for the one hour from 7 PM to 8 PM today, and at a 20% discount for the two hours from 8 PM to 10 PM today. When plan 2 is applied to a product with sales management type "02", as shown in the plan 2 column of Figure 9 (B), the product will be sold at a 5% discount for the one hour from 5 PM to 6 PM today, at a 10% discount for the one hour from 6 PM to 7 PM today, at a 15% discount for the one hour from 7 PM to 8 PM today, and at a 20% discount for the two hours from 8 PM to 10 PM today. When plan 3 is applied to a product with sales management type "02", the product will be sold at a 30% discount for one hour from 7 PM to 8 PM today, and at a 50% discount for two hours from 8 PM to 10 PM today, as shown in the plan 3 column in Fig. 9(B). When plan 4 is applied to a product with sales management type "02", the product will be sold at a 5% discount for one hour from 5 PM to 6 PM today, at a 10% discount for one hour from 6 PM to 7 PM today, at a 30% discount for one hour from 7 PM to 8 PM today, and at a 50% discount for two hours from 8 PM to 10 PM today, as shown in the plan 4 column in Fig. 9(B). When applying plan 5 to a product with sales management type "02," as shown in the plan 5 column in Figure 9 (B), the discount rates for the following hours are yet to be determined (for example, the discounts are set based on sales after the product is put on display).

(Product with sales management type "03")
The sales management type mark for the sales management type "03" is "C". Therefore, the discount mark when the plan 1 is applied to a product with the sales management type "03" is a mark that combines the plan mark "chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "C". In other words, when the plan 1 is applied to a product with the sales management type "03", a discount mark that combines the plan mark "chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "C" is printed on the product label. "Chopsticks + C" in the column for the plan 1 in FIG. 9(C) indicates that the discount mark is a mark that combines the plan mark "chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "C". Similarly, as shown in FIG. 9(C), the discount mark when the plan 2 is applied to a product with the sales management type "03" is a mark that combines the plan mark "spoon" and the sales management type mark "C". The discount mark when the plan 3 is applied to a product with the sales management type "03" is a mark that combines the plan mark "fork" and the sales management type mark "C". When applying plan 4 to a product with sales management type "03", the discount mark will be a combination of the plan mark "knife" and the sales management type mark "C". When applying plan 5 to a product with sales management type "03", the discount mark will be a combination of the plan mark "cup" and the sales management type mark "C".

As shown at the bottom of Figure 9 (C), the expiration date for a product with sales management type "03" is 4:00 the next day. The sales deadline is 22:00 today. The purchase time is 6 hours (from 16:00 to 22:00 today). Therefore, the time when there are 5 hours of business left until the sales deadline is 17:00 today. The time when there are 4 hours of business left until the sales deadline is 18:00 today. The time when there are 3 hours of business left until the sales deadline is 19:00 today. The time when there are 2 hours of business left until the sales deadline is 20:00 today.

Therefore, when plan 1 is applied to a product with sales management type "03", the product will be sold at a 15% discount for the one hour from 7 PM to 8 PM today, and at a 20% discount for the two hours from 8 PM to 10 PM, as shown in the plan 1 column of Figure 9 (C). When plan 2 is applied to a product with sales management type "03", the product will be sold at a 5% discount for the one hour from 5 PM to 6 PM today, at a 10% discount for the one hour from 6 PM to 7 PM today, at a 15% discount for the one hour from 7 PM to 8 PM today, and at a 20% discount for the two hours from 8 PM to 10 PM today, as shown in the plan 2 column of Figure 9 (C). When plan 3 is applied to a product with sales management type "03", the product will be sold at a 30% discount for one hour from 7 PM to 8 PM today, and at a 50% discount for two hours from 8 PM to 10 PM today, as shown in the plan 3 column in Fig. 9(C). When plan 4 is applied to a product with sales management type "03", the product will be sold at a 5% discount for one hour from 5 PM to 6 PM today, at a 10% discount for one hour from 6 PM to 7 PM today, at a 30% discount for one hour from 7 PM to 8 PM today, and at a 50% discount for two hours from 8 PM to 10 PM today, as shown in the plan 4 column in Fig. 9(C). When applying plan 5 to a product with sales management type "03," as shown in the plan 5 column in Figure 9 (C), the discount rates for the following hours are yet to be determined (for example, the discounts are set based on sales after the product is put on display).

(Product with sales management type "04")
The sales management type mark for the sales management type "04" is "D". Therefore, the discount mark when the plan 1 is applied to a product with the sales management type "04" is a mark that combines the plan mark "chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "D". In other words, when the plan 1 is applied to a product with the sales management type "04", a discount mark that combines the plan mark "chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "D" is printed on the product label. "Chopsticks + D" in the column for the plan 1 in FIG. 9 (D) indicates that the discount mark is a mark that combines the plan mark "chopsticks" and the sales management type mark "D". Similarly, as shown in FIG. 9 (D), the discount mark when the plan 2 is applied to a product with the sales management type "04" is a mark that combines the plan mark "spoon" and the sales management type mark "D". The discount mark when the plan 3 is applied to a product with the sales management type "04" is a mark that combines the plan mark "fork" and the sales management type mark "D". When applying plan 4 to a product with a sales management type of "04", the discount mark will be a combination of the plan mark "knife" and the sales management type mark "D". When applying plan 5 to a product with a sales management type of "04", the discount mark will be a combination of the plan mark "cup" and the sales management type mark "D".

As shown in the lower part of Figure 9 (D), the expiration date for a product with sales management type "04" is 4:00 PM the next day. The sales deadline is 2:00 PM the next day. The available time for purchase is 10 hours (4:00 PM to 10:00 PM today, and 10:00 PM to 2:00 PM the next day). Therefore, the time when there are 5 hours of business left until the sales deadline is 9:00 PM today. The time when there are 4 hours of business left until the sales deadline is 10:00 AM the next day. The time when there are 3 hours of business left until the sales deadline is 11:00 AM the next day. The time when there are 2 hours of business left until the sales deadline is 12:00 PM the next day.

Therefore, when plan 1 is applied to a product with sales management type "04", as shown in the plan 1 column of Figure 9 (D), the product will be sold at a 15% discount for one hour from 11:00 to 12:00 the next day, and at a 20% discount for two hours from 12:00 to 14:00 the next day. When plan 2 is applied to a product with sales management type "04", as shown in the plan 2 column of Figure 9 (D), the product will be sold at a 5% discount for one hour from 21:00 to 22:00 today, at a 10% discount for one hour from 10:00 to 11:00 the next day, at a 15% discount for one hour from 11:00 to 12:00 the next day, and at a 20% discount for two hours from 12:00 to 14:00 the next day. When plan 3 is applied to a product with sales management type "04", the product is sold at a 30% discount for one hour from 11:00 to 12:00 the next day, and at a 50% discount for two hours from 12:00 to 14:00 the next day, as shown in the plan 3 column of Fig. 9 (D). When plan 4 is applied to a product with sales management type "04", the product is sold at a 5% discount for one hour from 21:00 to 22:00 today, at a 10% discount for one hour from 10:00 to 11:00 the next day, at a 30% discount for one hour from 11:00 to 12:00 the next day, and at a 50% discount for two hours from 12:00 to 14:00 the next day, as shown in the plan 4 column of Fig. 9 (D). When applying plan 5 to a product with sales management type "04," as shown in the plan 5 column in Figure 9 (D), the discount rates for the following hours are undetermined: 9PM today to 10PM today, 10AM the next day to 11AM the next day, 11AM the next day to 12PM the next day, and 12PM the next day to 2PM the next day (for example, the discounts are set based on sales after the product is put on display).

Figure 10 is an example of a plan setting screen. The plan setting screen is a screen on which a store clerk sets discount plans, etc. The plan setting screen is displayed, for example, on the label printing device 30. Note that instead of or in addition to the label printing device 30, another device (for example, the transaction status management device 40, the registration and settlement device 50, the server 10, a server (not shown) that can communicate with the server 10, etc.) may display the plan setting screen. In the following explanation, the label printing device 30 will be described as displaying the plan setting screen.

The project setting screen shown in FIG. 10 has a work category column, a project code column, a start date column, an end date column, a project name column, and a project mark column. The project setting screen shown in FIG. 10 also has a discount condition 1 area (symbol a in FIG. 10), a discount condition 2 area (symbol b in FIG. 10), a discount condition 3 area (symbol c in FIG. 10), and a discount condition 4 area (symbol d in FIG. 10), and each discount condition area (symbols a-d) has a time column and a discount column. The project setting screen shown in FIG. 10 also has a project mark button BT01, an add condition button BT02, a cancel button BT03, and a complete button BT04.

(New discount promotion)
When setting a new discount plan, the clerk inputs "1" into the work section field. When setting a new discount plan (when inputting "1" into the work section field), the clerk inputs an unused five-digit number (a five-digit number that is not registered as a plan code of a discount plan that has already been set) into the plan code field as the plan code of the discount plan to be set. When setting a new discount plan, the label printing device 30 may display a five-digit number that is in use (a five-digit number that is registered as a plan code of a discount plan that has already been set) and prompt the user to input an unused five-digit number. When setting a new discount plan, the label printing device 30 may display (automatically input) an unused five-digit number (for example, the smallest number among the unused five-digit numbers) into the plan code field. When setting a new discount plan, the clerk inputs the application start date of the newly set discount plan into the start date field and the application end date into the end date field. If the newly set discount plan is to be applied from today, the application start date may be left blank. If there is no end date for the newly set discount plan, the application end date may be left blank. When setting a new discount plan, the store clerk inputs the plan name of the newly set discount plan in the plan name field.

When setting a new discount plan, the store clerk selects a plan mark for the new discount plan. Specifically, the store clerk operates the plan mark button BT01. When the plan mark button BT01 is operated, the label printing device 30 displays a list of unused marks (marks that have not been selected as plan marks for a discount plan that has already been set) from among multiple marks prepared in advance on a small screen (not shown) or the like. The store clerk selects a mark from the small screen or the like that is displayed after operating the plan mark button BT01. When a mark is selected from the small screen or the like, the label printing device 30 displays the selected mark in the plan mark column. Note that when the plan mark button BT01 is operated, the label printing device 30 may display (automatically select) an unused mark from among multiple marks prepared in advance in the plan mark column.

When setting up a new discount plan, the store clerk inputs the details of the new discount plan. Specifically, the store clerk inputs the details of the new discount plan into the discount condition area (time column, discount column). If there are not enough conditions, the store clerk operates the add condition button BT02. Each time the add condition button BT02 is operated, the label printing device 30 additionally displays the discount condition area (if it cannot be displayed on one page, it will be displayed on the next page).

If the store clerk wants to set a new discount plan with the contents displayed in each column, he/she operates the Complete button BT04. If the store clerk does not want to set a new discount plan, he/she operates the Cancel button BT03. When the Complete button BT04 is operated, the label printing device 30 erases the information displayed in each column and sets a new discount plan.

For example, in the plan setting file shown in FIG. 7, "3 hours of business hours remaining until the sales deadline: 15% discount" and "2 hours of business hours remaining until the sales deadline: 20% discount" are set (stored) as the plan contents of plan 1 (small discount, normal start) identified by plan code "00001" (symbol a in FIG. 7), and in the plan mark setting file shown in FIG. 8(B), chopsticks are set (stored) as the plan mark for plan code "00001" (symbol a in FIG. 8(B)). The setting contents are stored in the plan setting file and the plan mark setting file by the label printing device 30 when the completion button BT04 is operated in the plan setting screen shown in FIG. 10 with the work category "1", plan code "00001", plan name "Plan 1 (small discount, normal start)", plan mark "chopsticks", discount condition 1 time "3" and discount "15", and discount condition 2 time "2" and discount "20" displayed.

For example, in the project setting file shown in FIG. 7, the project contents of project 4 (big early discount start) identified by project code "00004" are set (stored) as "5 hours of business remaining until the sale deadline: 5% discount", "4 hours of business remaining until the sale deadline: 10% discount", "3 hours of business remaining until the sale deadline: 30% discount", and "2 hours of business remaining until the sale deadline: 50% discount" (symbol b in FIG. 7), and in the project mark setting file shown in FIG. 8(B), a knife is set (stored) as the project mark for project code "00004" (FIG. 8(B)). (symbol d) The setting contents are stored in the project setting file and project mark setting file by the label printing device 30 when the completion button BT04 is operated on the project setting screen shown in FIG. 10 with the following displayed: work category "1", project code "00004", project name "Project 4 (big discount starts early)", project mark "knife", discount condition 1 as time "5" and discount "5", discount condition 2 as time "4" and discount "10", discount condition 3 as time "3" and discount "30", and discount condition 4 as time "2" and discount "50".

For example, in the project setting file shown in FIG. 7, the project contents of project 5 (started, discount rate undecided) identified by project code "00005" are set (stored) as "5 hours of business hours remaining until sales deadline: set as appropriate," "4 hours of business hours remaining until sales deadline: set as appropriate," "3 hours of business hours remaining until sales deadline: set as appropriate," and "2 hours of business hours remaining until sales deadline: set as appropriate" (symbol c in FIG. 7), and in the project mark setting file shown in FIG. 8(B), a cup is set (stored) as the project mark for project code "00005" (symbol e in FIG. 8(B)). The setting contents are stored in the project setting file and project mark setting file by the label printing device 30 when the complete button BT04 is operated on the project setting screen shown in FIG. 10 with the following displayed: work category "1", project code "00005", project name "Project 5 (started, discount rate undecided)", project mark "cup", discount condition 1 time "5" and discount "(blank)", discount condition 2 time "4" and discount "(blank)", discount condition 3 time "3" and discount "(blank)", and discount condition 4 time "2" and discount "(blank)".

(Discount promotion amendments)
When the clerk modifies the discount plan, he/she inputs "2" into the work category field. When the clerk modifies the discount plan (when "2" is input into the work category field), he/she inputs the plan code of the discount plan to be modified into the plan code field. When the clerk modifies the discount plan, the label printing device 30 displays (automatically inputs) the application start date of the discount plan to be modified (the discount plan with the plan code input into the plan code field) into the start date field, displays (automatically inputs) the application end date into the end date field, displays (automatically inputs) the plan name into the plan name field, displays (automatically inputs) the plan mark into the plan mark field, and displays (automatically inputs) the contents in the discount condition area. The clerk makes appropriate modifications and operates the Complete button BT04. If the clerk does not want to make modifications, he/she operates the Cancel button BT03. When the Complete button BT04 is operated after the modifications, the label printing device 30 erases the information displayed in each field and modifies the discount plan.

(Deletion of discount promotion)
When deleting a discount plan, the clerk inputs "3" into the work category field. When deleting a discount plan (when "3" is input into the work category field), the clerk inputs the plan code of the discount plan to be deleted into the plan code field. When deleting a discount plan, the label printing device 30 displays (automatically inputs) the application start date of the discount plan to be deleted (the discount plan with the plan code input into the plan code field) in the start date field, displays (automatically inputs) the application end date in the end date field, displays (automatically inputs) the plan name in the plan name field, displays (automatically inputs) the plan mark in the plan mark field, and displays (automatically inputs) the contents in the discount condition area. When deleting the discount plan, the clerk operates the Complete button BT04. When not deleting the discount plan, the clerk operates the Cancel button BT03. When the Complete button BT04 is operated, the label printing device 30 erases the information displayed in each field and deletes the discount plan.

(Discount Promotion Inquiry)
When inquiring about a discount plan, the clerk inputs "4" into the work category field. When inquiring about a discount plan (when "4" is input into the work category field), the clerk inputs the plan code of the discount plan to be inquired about into the plan code field. When inquiring about a discount plan, the label printing device 30 displays (automatically inputs) the application start date of the inquired discount plan (discount plan with the plan code input into the plan code field) in the start date field, displays (automatically inputs) the application end date in the end date field, displays (automatically inputs) the plan name in the plan name field, displays (automatically inputs) the plan mark in the plan mark field, and displays (automatically inputs) the contents in the discount condition area. When the clerk ends the inquiry, he/she operates, for example, the Complete button BT04. When the Complete button BT04 is operated, the label printing device 30 erases the information displayed in each field.

Figure 11 is an example of a display of a label printing device 30. Specifically, Figure 11 is an example of a label printing and issuing screen that is displayed when a label printing device 30 (weighing device, packaging device) equipped with a weighing unit prints and issues a product label. Note that a label printing and issuing screen displayed by a label printing device 30 that does not have a weighing unit does not need to include columns related to weighing (such as a tare column or weight column).

The label printing and issuing screen shown in FIG. 11 has a current date and time column, a product name column, a product code column, a tare column, a weight column, a unit price column, a price column, and a sales management type column at the top (part marked a in FIG. 11). The label printing and issuing screen shown in FIG. 11 also has a label image area, a processing date and time area, a best before date area, a sales before date management area, and a discount plan area at the center (part marked b in FIG. 11). The label printing and issuing screen shown in FIG. 11 also has a cancel button BT13 and a print button BT14. The label image area is an area for displaying an image of the product label that will be printed and issued after the print button BT14 is operated.

The processing date and time area is provided with a product processing date and time field, and an arrow button for displaying a small screen (a small screen where a date and time can be selected) as an input aid for the date and time field. The expiration date area is provided with a date and time field for the expiration date and an arrow button for displaying a small screen (a small screen where a date and time can be selected) as an input aid for the date and time field. The sales expiration management area is provided with a field for whether sales expiration management is performed, and a change button for changing the presence or absence in the presence/absence field (i.e., changing from "Yes (Yes)" to "No (Absent)" or from "No (Absent)" to "Yes (Yes)"). Note that sales expiration management is generally "Permitted". The discount plan area is provided with a field for whether discount plans are performed, a change button for changing the presence or absence in the presence/absence field, a plan code field, and an arrow button for displaying a small screen (a small screen where a discount plan can be selected) as an input aid for the plan code field.

The label printing device 30 displays the label printing and issuing screen based on a specific operation by the store clerk (for example, operation of the label issuing button on the menu screen (not shown)).

As mentioned above, before the product labels are printed and issued, information about the products (products to be manufactured) for which the product labels are to be printed and issued is registered in the product master (Figure 5).

When the label printing and issuing screen is displayed, the label printing device 30 displays the current date and time in the current date and time column, and displays the processing date and time in the date and time column of the processing date and time area. If the current date and time is 10:55 on July 27, 2021, the label printing device 30 displays "202107271055" in the current date and time column, and "2021072711" in the date and time column of the processing date and time area, as shown in FIG. 11. In addition, when the label printing and issuing screen is displayed, the label printing device 30 initially displays "Yes" in the Yes/No column of the sales expiration date management area.

The store clerk enters the product code of the product for which a product label is to be issued in the product code field. Note that an arrow button may be provided to display a small screen (a small screen on which the product code (or product name) for which a product label is to be issued can be selected) to assist in entering information into the product code field.

When a product code is entered in the product code field, the label printing device 30 refers to the product master, etc., displays the product name of the product with that product code in the product name field, displays the sales price of the product with that product code in the price field, displays the sales management type in the sales management type field, and displays the expiration date in the date and time field of the expiration date area. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the label printing device 30 displays the product name of the product with that product code, "Seasonal Nigiri Sushi," in the product name field, displays the sales price of the product with that product code, "631," in the price field, displays the sales management type, "01," in the sales management type field, and displays the expiration date, "2021072723," in the date and time field of the expiration date area. Note that the expiration date of the product (seasonal nigiri sushi) is 12 hours (FIG. 5), and since a product with a 12-hour expiration date is manufactured at 11:00, the sales management type is "01" (FIG. 4).

If the sales clerk wishes to implement a discount plan for the product, he or she enters "Yes" in the discount plan area presence/absence field, and if the sales clerk wishes to not implement a discount plan for the product, he or she enters "No" in the discount plan area presence/absence field. If the sales clerk wishes to implement a discount plan (if "Yes" is entered in the discount plan area presence/absence field), he or she enters a plan code in the discount plan area plan code field. In the example shown in Figure 11, "Yes" is entered in the discount plan area presence/absence field, and "00001", plan 1, is entered in the discount plan area plan code field.

If there are no problems with the input contents, the store clerk operates the print button BT14. Note that the label printing device 30 displays the print button BT14 in an operable manner when there are no problems with the input contents. In other words, the label printing device 30 does not display the print button BT14 in an operable manner when there are problems with the input contents. As an example, if "Yes" is entered in the discount plan area presence/absence field but no plan code is entered in the discount plan area plan code field or the entered plan code does not exist, there is insufficient information, so the label printing device 30 does not display the print button BT14 in an operable manner (for example, hidden, grayed out, etc.).

Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the label printing device 30. Specifically, Figure 12 (A) is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the label printing device 30. Figure 12 (B) is an example of a small screen displayed by the label printing device 30.

Step S1: The label printing device 30 displays a label printing and issuing screen based on an operation. For example, the label printing device 30 displays the label printing and issuing screen based on an operation of a label issuing button on a menu screen (not shown).
Step S2: The label printing device 30 displays each item on the label printing and issuing screen based on the operation, etc. As an example, by accepting an input of a product code into a product code field, the label printing device 30 displays the product code in the product code field, displays the product name of the product with that product code in the product name field, displays the sales price of the product with that product code in the price field, displays the sales management type in the sales management type field, and displays the expiration date in the date and time field in the expiration date area.
Step S3: The label printing device 30 judges whether the input contents are consistent. That is, the label printing device 30 checks whether there are any problems with the contents on the label printing and issuing screen. If the input contents are consistent (step S3: YES), proceed to step S4. If the input contents are not consistent (step S3: NO), return to step S2.

Step S4: The label printing device 30 displays the print button BT14 in an operable manner, and then proceeds to step S5.
Step S5: The label printing device 30 accepts the operation of the print button BT 14. Then, the process proceeds to step S6.
Step S6: The label printing device 30 judges whether or not to execute a discount plan. That is, the label printing device 30 judges whether or not the discount plan area presence/absence field is "Yes". If a discount plan is to be executed (step S6: YES), that is, if the discount plan area presence/absence field is "Yes", proceed to step S7. If a discount plan is not to be executed (step S6: NO), that is, if the discount plan area presence/absence field is "No", proceed to step S10.

Step S7: The label printing device 30 notifies the user of the discount plan to be executed (i.e., the discount plan with the plan code entered in the plan code field). For example, the label printing device 30 may display a small screen showing the schedule of the discount plan to be executed in front of the label printing and issuing screen. Then, proceed to step S8.

Figure 12 (B) is an example of a small screen SG01 that is displayed in front of the label printing and issuing screen when a store clerk operates the print button BT14 on the label printing and issuing screen in the state shown in Figure 11. The expiration date "Today at 11pm" on the small screen SG01 is based on "2021072723" in the date and time column of the expiration date area of the label printing and issuing screen shown in Figure 11. The sales expiration date "Today at 9pm" on the small screen SG01 is based on "2021072723" in the date and time column of the expiration date area of the label printing and issuing screen shown in Figure 11 and the information in the expiration date sales expiration correspondence file shown in Figure 6 (symbol b in Figure 6). The schedule on small screen SG01 (regular price today from 11:00 to 16:00 (5 hours), regular price today from 16:00 to 17:00 (1 hour), regular price today from 17:00 to 18:00 (1 hour), 15% discount today from 18:00 to 19:00 (1 hour), 19:00 to 21:00 (2 hours) 20% discount today) is based on "01" in the sales management type column of the label printing and issuing screen shown in Figure 11 and "00001" in the plan code column of the plan code area (see the Plan 1 column in Figure 9 (A)).

Step S8: The label printing device 30 determines whether the change button has been operated on the small screen SG01. If the change button has been operated (step S8: YES), the small screen SG01 is cleared and the process returns to step S2. If the change button has not been operated (step S8: NO), the process proceeds to step S9. Note that the store clerk operates the change button, for example, when the confirmed discount promotion schedule differs from what was intended (for example, when issuing the product label in FIG. 2(B), the sales time at regular price is one hour, but the sales time at regular price was not intended to be one hour).

Step S9: The label printing device 30 determines whether the OK button on the small screen SG01 has been operated. If the OK button has been operated (step S9: YES), the small screen SG01 is cleared and the process proceeds to step S10. If the OK button has not been operated (step S9: NO), the process returns to step S8.

Step S10: The label printing device 30 references various files and prints and issues the product label. Then proceed to step S11.

(Details of step S10)
Step S10 will be described in detail. As shown in Figures 2A to 2D, the label printing device 30 issues a product label on which a barcode (symbol a in Figure 2), a date mark (symbol c in Figure 2), and a discount mark (symbol b in Figure 2) are printed in addition to the product name, processing date and time, expiration date, price excluding tax, and price including tax. The date mark is a mark that indicates the date (including the day of the week) on which the sell-by date of the product falls.

(Barcode to be printed on product label)
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a barcode. The label printing device 30 prints a barcode as shown in FIG. 13 on a product label. The barcode (barcoded information; barcode information) has the following configuration, for example: The 13 digits from the left (symbol a in FIG. 13) are a product code. The next digit (symbol b in FIG. 13) indicates whether or not a discount plan is to be implemented. "0" indicates no implementation, and "9" indicates implementation. The next 5 digits (symbol c in FIG. 13) are a plan code. If a discount plan is not to be implemented, it is "00000". The next digit (symbol d in FIG. 13) indicates whether or not sales deadline management is to be implemented. "0" indicates no implementation, and "1" indicates implementation. The next 7 digits (symbol e in FIG. 13) are the expiration date (YMMDDHH). For example, 23:00 on July 27, 2021 is "1072723". In addition, 4:00 on July 28, 2021 will be "1072804." The expiration date is referenced when managing sales deadlines and implementing discount promotions. The next digit (symbol f in FIG. 13) is a check digit.

(Product label in Figure 2(A))
When "Seasonal Nigiri Sushi (best by date: 12 hours)" produced at 11:00 (before noon) on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 is sold as part of a discount plan (Plan 1), the label printing device 30 prints and issues a product label as shown in Fig. 2(A). Note that the 13-digit product code barcode and one check digit in the product label in Fig. 2(A) are "X" (the same applies to the barcodes on the product labels in Figs. 2(B) to 2(D)).

The product label shown in FIG. 2(A) has printed as a discount mark a combination of the project mark "chopsticks" and the sales control type mark "A" (the "chopsticks + A" mark for project 1 in FIG. 9(A)). In other words, the project mark for project 1 (project code "00001") is "chopsticks" (FIG. 8(B)), and the sales control type mark for the product manufactured at 11:00 (before noon) with a 12-hour expiration date (sales control type "01" as shown in FIG. 4) is "A" (FIG. 8(A)), so the label printing device 30 displays "chopsticks + A" as the discount mark (symbol b in FIG. 2(A)).

The product label shown in FIG. 2(A) has "Tuesday, the 27th" printed as the date mark. In other words, because the sell-by date for the product is 9 PM today (FIG. 9(A)), the label printing device 30 displays "Tuesday, the 27th" as the date mark (symbol c in FIG. 2(A)). As shown in FIG. 2(A), the date mark "Tuesday, the 27th" is printed in an area (place, position) different from the area in which the expiration date "21.7.27 11 PM" is printed. The same is true for other product labels, as shown in FIG. 2(B) to FIG. 2(D).

The schedule for the product associated with the product label in FIG. 2(A) is as follows, according to the plan 1 column in FIG. 9(A).
Tuesday, July 27, 2021, 11:00-18:00: Regular price Tuesday, July 27, 2021, 18:00-19:00: 15% off Tuesday, July 27, 2021, 19:00-21:00: 20% off

(Product label in Figure 2(B))
When "meatballs (best-by date: 12 hours)" manufactured at 4:00 p.m. (evening) on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 are sold as part of a discount plan (Plan 2), the label printing device 30 prints and issues a product label such as that shown in Figure 2 (B).

The product label shown in FIG. 2(B) has printed as a discount mark a combination of the project mark "spoon" and the sales control type mark "C" (the "spoon + C" mark for project 2 in FIG. 9(C)). In other words, the project mark for project 2 (project code "00002") is "spoon" (FIG. 8(B)), and the sales control type mark for the product manufactured at 4 p.m. (evening) and with a 12-hour expiration date (sales control type "03" as shown in FIG. 4) is "C" (FIG. 8(A)), so the label printing device 30 displays "spoon + C" as the discount mark (symbol b in FIG. 2(B)).

The product label shown in FIG. 2(B) has "Tuesday, 27th" printed as the date mark. In other words, since the sales deadline for the product is 10 p.m. today (FIG. 9(C)), the label printing device 30 displays "Tuesday, 27th" as the date mark (symbol c in FIG. 2(B)).

The schedule for the product associated with the product label in FIG. 2(B) is as follows, according to the plan 2 column in FIG. 9(C).
Tuesday, July 27, 2021, 16:00-17:00: Regular price Tuesday, July 27, 2021, 17:00-18:00: 5% discount Tuesday, July 27, 2021, 18:00-19:00: 10% discount Tuesday, July 27, 2021, 19:00-20:00: 15% discount Tuesday, July 27, 2021, 21:00-22:00: 20% discount

(Product label in Figure 2(C))
When selling an “Assorted Salad (best-by date: 24 hours)” manufactured at 4:00 p.m. (evening) on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 as part of a discount plan (Plan 1), the label printing device 30 prints and issues a product label such as that shown in Figure 2 (C).

The product label shown in Fig. 2(C) has printed as a discount mark a combination of the project mark "chopsticks" and the sales control type mark "D" (the "chopsticks + D" mark for project 1 in Fig. 9(D)). In other words, the project mark for project 1 (project code "00001") is "chopsticks" (Fig. 8(B)), and the sales control type mark for the product manufactured at 4 p.m. (evening) and with a 24-hour expiration date (sales control type "04" as shown in Fig. 4) is "D" (Fig. 8(A)), so the label printing device 30 displays "chopsticks + D" as the discount mark (symbol b in Fig. 2(C)).

The product label shown in FIG. 2(C) has "28th (Wed)" printed as the date mark. In other words, since the sales deadline for the product is 2:00 p.m. the following day (FIG. 9(D)), the label printing device 30 displays "28th (Wed)" as the date mark (symbol c in FIG. 2(C)).

The schedule for the product associated with the product label of FIG. 2(C) is as follows, according to the plan 1 column of FIG. 9(D).
Tuesday, July 27, 2021 from 16:00 to 22:00: Regular price Wednesday, July 28, 2021 from 10:00 to 11:00: Regular price Wednesday, July 28, 2021 from 11:00 to 12:00: 15% off Wednesday, July 28, 2021 from 12:00 to 14:00: 20% off

(Product label in Figure 2(D))
When selling an “Assorted Salad (best-by date: 24 hours)” manufactured at 11:00 (before noon) on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 under a discount plan (Plan 1), the label printing device 30 prints and issues a product label such as that shown in Figure 2 (D).

The product label shown in FIG. 2(D) has printed as a discount mark a combination of the project mark "chopsticks" and the sales control type mark "B" (the "chopsticks + B" mark for project 1 in FIG. 9(B)). In other words, the project mark for project 1 (project code "00001") is "chopsticks" (FIG. 8(B)), and the sales control type mark for the product manufactured at 11:00 (before noon) with a 24-hour expiration date (sales control type "02" as shown in FIG. 4) is "B" (FIG. 8(A)), so the label printing device 30 displays "chopsticks + B" as the discount mark (symbol b in FIG. 2(D)).

The product label shown in FIG. 2(D) has "28th (Wed)" printed as the date mark. In other words, since the sales deadline for the product is 10 p.m. today (FIG. 9(B)), the label printing device 30 displays "28th (Wed)" as the date mark (symbol c in FIG. 2(D)).

The schedule for the product associated with the product label of FIG. 2(D) is as follows, according to the plan 1 column of FIG. 9(B).
Wednesday, July 28, 2021, 11:00-19:00: Regular price Wednesday, July 28, 2021, 19:00-20:00: 15% off Wednesday, July 28, 2021, 20:00-22:00: 20% off

Returning to the flowchart of FIG.
Step S11: The label printing device 30 stores information related to the printing of the product label, and then this flow chart ends.

(Details of step S11)
Step S11 will be described in detail. Fig. 14 shows an example of a file used in the sales system 1. Specifically, Fig. 14(A) shows an example of a product label issuance file related to printed and issued product labels. Fig. 14(B) shows an example of a discount schedule file that stores a schedule of discount plans registered to be executed.

As shown in FIG. 14(A), the product label issuing file stores the number of issued product labels (i.e., the number of units sold of the product), the date mark and discount mark (combination of the date mark and discount mark) printed on the product label, in association with the barcode information of the barcode printed on the issued product label.

The discount schedule file stores schedule information regarding discounts for products on which date marks and discount marks are printed, in association with the date marks and discount marks, as shown in FIG. 14(B).

For example, the label printing apparatus 30 may perform the following process (1) and (2) as the process of step S11.
(1) The label printing device 30 updates the product label issuance file. Specifically, the label printing device 30 refers to the product label issuance file, and if the barcode information of the barcode printed on the issued product label is not stored in the product label issuance file, the label printing device 30 stores the barcode information, the number of issued sheets "1", a date mark, and a discount mark in association with each other in the product label issuance file. Note that if a discount plan is not implemented, the date mark and the discount mark do not exist, and therefore are not stored. On the other hand, if the barcode information of the barcode printed on the issued product label is already stored in the product label issuance file, the label printing device 30 counts up the number of issued sheets corresponding to the barcode information in the product label issuance file.
(2) The label printing device 30 updates the discount schedule file. Specifically, the label printing device 30 refers to the discount schedule file, and if the date mark and discount mark printed on the issued product label are not stored in the discount schedule file, the label printing device 30 stores the date mark and discount mark in the discount schedule file in association with the schedule information. On the other hand, if the date mark and discount mark printed on the issued product label are already stored in the discount schedule file, the label printing device 30 does not update the discount schedule file.

In the above (1), if the product label issuance file is stored in the label printing device 30, the label printing device 30 updates the product label issuance file in its own device. On the other hand, if the product label issuance file is stored in another device (e.g., server 10), the label printing device 30 transmits to the other device information necessary for the other device to update the product label issuance file. The same applies to the discount schedule file in the above (2).

(Example of display on the display device 60)
If the product labels of Figures 2(A) to 2(C) are printed and issued on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 (i.e., if the product label of Figure 2(A) is printed and issued at 11:00 on the same day, and the product labels of Figures 2(B) and 2(C) are printed and issued at 16:00 on the same day), the display device 60 will refer to the discount schedule file and display (notify) information regarding the discount plan as shown in Figure 3. Note that it is assumed that the relevant products (products for which the product labels of Figures 2(A) to 2(C) have been printed and issued) have not sold out.

Figure 3 (A) shows the display content at 17:30 on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, for example. According to the discount schedule file shown in Figure 14 (B), at 17:30, the date mark "Tuesday, 27th" and the discount mark "Spoon + C" are 5% off. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3 (A), the display device 60 displays "5% OFF at the register" to indicate a 5% discount in association with the date mark "Tuesday, 27th" and the discount mark "Spoon + C".

The aspect ratio of the display screen of the display device 60 shown in FIG. 3(A) is for convenience of explanation and is not limited to the aspect ratio shown. In other words, it may be horizontally long as shown, vertically long, or square. There are also no particular limitations on the size of the display screen (screen size) of the display device 60 or the ratio of the display screen to the displayed information (the size of the displayed information relative to the display screen). The same applies to FIGS. 3(B) to 3(E). Note that when multiple display devices 60 are installed in a store, multiple display devices 60 with different aspect ratios and screen sizes may be installed.

Figure 3 (B) shows the display contents at 18:30 on the same day, for example. That is, according to the discount schedule file shown in Figure 14 (B), at 18:30, the date mark "27th (Tue)" and the discount mark "chopsticks + A" are 15% off, and the date mark "27th (Tue)" and the discount mark "spoon + C" are 10% off. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3 (B), the display device 60 displays "15% OFF at the register" indicating a 15% discount in association with the date mark "27th (Tue)" and the discount mark "chopsticks + A", and displays "5% OFF at the register" indicating a 10% discount in association with the date mark "27th (Tue)" and the discount mark "spoon + C".

Similarly, FIG. 3(C) shows, for example, the display content at 19:30 on the same day. Also, FIG. 3(D) shows, for example, the display content at 20:30 on the same day. Also, FIG. 3(E) shows, for example, the display content at 21:30 on the same day.

The display contents (information regarding discount plans) on the display device 60 described above are based on the product label issuance file (FIG. 14(A)) and the discount schedule file (FIG. 14(B)). The display device 60 itself may control the display contents of its own device, or another device (e.g., the server 10, the transaction status management device 40) may control the display contents of the display device 60. In other words, the display device 60 may control the display contents by referring to the product label issuance file or the discount schedule file, or another device may control the display contents of the display device 60 by referring to the product label issuance file or the discount schedule file.

In addition, when all products with a certain "date mark and discount mark" are sold out, the display device 60 does not display information related to the "date mark and discount mark." When a product (in this example, seasonal nigiri sushi, but also products other than seasonal nigiri sushi) with a product label printed with the date mark "27th (Tue)" and the discount mark "chopsticks + A" is sold out at the regular price (when it is sold out before the discount from the discount plan is applied), the display device 60 does not display the discount information of the date mark "27th (Tue)" and the discount mark "chopsticks + A." In addition, when the corresponding product is sold out after displaying the discount information of the date mark "27th (Tue)" and the discount mark "chopsticks + A," the display device 60 erases the discount information of the date mark "27th (Tue)" and the discount mark "chopsticks + A." This control may be performed by the display device 60 itself or by another device.

In addition, although it has been described that the relevant product (the product for which the product label in Figures 2(A) to 2(C) has been printed and issued) is not sold out, it may actually be sold out (because there is a time lag between putting the product in the shopping cart and payment being made), so the display device 60 may notify the user of the possibility of it being sold out. For example, a message such as "We may not have any products with the relevant label" may be displayed.

(Display example of registered settlement device 50)
Fig. 15 is a display example of the registration and settlement device 50. When the product labels of Fig. 2(A) to Fig. 2(C) are printed and issued on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 (i.e., when the product label of Fig. 2(A) is printed and issued at 11:00 on the same day, and the product label of Fig. 2(B) and the product label of Fig. 2(C) are printed and issued at 16:00 on the same day), the registration and settlement device 50 refers to the product label issuance file and the discount schedule file and registers the products as shown in Fig. 15.

For example, if the registration and settlement device 50 reads the barcode "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX90000111072723X" printed on the product label of Figure 2 (A) at 18:30 on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, it will register the product (seasonal nigiri sushi) with the product label of Figure 2 (A) at a 15% discount, as shown in Figure 15. In other words, the registration and settlement device 50 refers to the product label issuance file and obtains the date mark "27th (Tue)" and discount mark "chopsticks + A" as the date mark/discount mark corresponding to the read barcode "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX90000111072723X" (Figure 14 (A)). Next, the registration and settlement device 50 refers to the schedule information and obtains the discount rate "15%" corresponding to the current time "Tuesday, July 27, 2021, 18:30" from the schedule information of the date mark "Tuesday, 27th" and the discount mark "chopsticks + A" (Figure 14 (B)), and registers the product with a 15% discount.

(Mobile terminal 70)
First, a brief description will be given of the flow of product registration by the mobile terminal 70. Although it has been described that the server 10 may be composed of a plurality of servers, the server 10 is assumed to include a headquarters server 10A that mainly communicates with the store controller 20 and a cloud server 10B that supports product registration by the mobile terminal 70. The cloud server 10B has a transaction information file (also called a cart file) that stores registration information by each mobile terminal 70.

When the mobile terminal 70 reads the barcode attached to the product (including the barcode on the product label printed and issued by the label printing device 30), it transmits the barcode information to the cloud server 10B.

Cloud server 10B, which receives barcode information from mobile terminal 70, refers to the product master (Fig. 5) to identify the product. Cloud server 10B, which receives barcode information from mobile terminal 70, also refers to the product label issuance file (Fig. 14(A)) to determine whether the product is subject to a discount promotion. For example, cloud server 10B determines that the product is subject to a discount promotion if a date mark/discount mark is stored in association with the barcode information. If cloud server 10B determines that the product is subject to a discount promotion, it refers to the discount schedule file (Fig. 14(B)) to determine whether a discount is currently being applied, and if it determines that a discount is currently being applied, it obtains the discount rate.

If cloud server 10B determines that the product identified from the barcode information is not a product subject to a discount promotion, or if cloud server 10B determines that the product identified from the barcode information is a product subject to a discount promotion but is not currently being discounted, it adds the product information of the product (product name, price, etc.) to the cart file of the mobile terminal 70 and transmits the product information to the mobile terminal 70.

If cloud server 10B determines that the product identified from the barcode information is a product subject to a discount promotion and is currently being discounted, it adds the product information and discount rate of the product to the cart file of the mobile terminal 70 and transmits the product information and discount rate to the mobile terminal 70.

If a product that is the subject of a discount promotion that was not discounted when the barcode information was received (when the product information was registered in the cart file) is discounted before the checkout process is completed, the cloud server 10B adds the discount rate of the product to the cart file and transmits the discount rate of the product to the mobile terminal 70.

When the discount rate for a product that is the subject of a discount promotion that is being discounted changes before the checkout process is completed, the cloud server 10B updates the discount rate for that product stored in the cart file to the new discount rate and transmits the new discount rate for that product to the mobile terminal 70.

The flow until the completion of the settlement is as follows. The mobile terminal 70 displays a two-dimensional code for payment (a two-dimensional code that encodes information that can identify the cart file of the mobile terminal 70. For example, a two-dimensional code that encodes a URI that can identify the location of the cart file of the mobile terminal 70 in the cloud server 10B) based on a predetermined operation (the Proceed to Checkout button BT604 in FIG. 16). The customer has the registered settlement device 50 read the two-dimensional code for payment displayed by the mobile terminal 70. That is, the registered settlement device 50 reads the two-dimensional code for payment displayed by the mobile terminal 70. The registered settlement device 50 that reads the two-dimensional code for payment uses information that can identify the cart file of the mobile terminal 70 to obtain information in the cart file of the mobile terminal 70 from the cloud server 10B and displays it on the product list screen (not shown). The customer transitions from the product list screen (not shown) to the settlement screen (not shown) and then executes the payment by the desired payment method (cash, card, etc.). The registration settlement device 50 transmits the settlement completion information (settlement completion information) to the cloud server 10B. The number of items sold for each item is ascertained from the settlement completion information. Thus, in the case of purchased items, the number of items in stock (the number of items before display + the number of items displayed + the number of items in the shopping cart before payment) is ascertained by subtracting the number of items sold from the number of items purchased, which is related to the above-mentioned sold-out. Similarly, in the case of items with product labels issued by the label printing device 30, the number of items in stock (the number of items displayed + the number of items in the shopping cart before payment) is ascertained by subtracting the number of items sold from the number of items issued in the product label issuing file. The same is true when registering items in the registration settlement device 50. In other words, in the sales system 1, whether an item is sold out can be determined by calculation from the number of items manufactured (the number of labels issued) and the number of items that have passed through the cash register (the determination entity may be the server 10, the store controller 20, the label printing device 30, the transaction status management device 40, the registration device 50, or the display device 60). In addition, a device (referred to as a settlement device 51) that settles the payments for products registered by the mobile terminal 70 may be provided separately from the registration settlement device 50.

(Display example of mobile terminal 70)
Fig. 16 is a display example of the mobile terminal 70. When the product labels in Fig. 2(A) to Fig. 2(C) are printed and issued on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 (i.e., when the product label in Fig. 2(A) is printed and issued at 11:00 on the same day, and the product label in Fig. 2(B) and the product label in Fig. 2(C) are printed and issued at 16:00 on the same day), the mobile device 70 registers the products as shown in Fig. 16.

For example, when the mobile terminal 70 reads the barcode "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX90000111072723X" printed on the product label of FIG. 2(A) at 17:57 on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, it registers the product (seasonal nigiri sushi) with the product label of FIG. 2(A) at the regular price, as shown in FIG. 16(A). In other words, the cloud server 10B receives the barcode information from the mobile terminal 70 at 17:57 on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, refers to the product label issuance file (FIG. 14(A)) and determines that the product is subject to a discount promotion, and refers to the discount schedule file (FIG. 14(B)), but determines that no discount is being applied at the current time "Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 17:57". Therefore, the cloud server 10B adds the product information (product name, price, etc.) of the product (seasonal nigiri sushi) to the cart file of the mobile terminal 70, and transmits the product information to the mobile terminal 70. As a result, the mobile terminal 70 registers the product (seasonal nigiri sushi) with the product label in FIG. 2(A) at the regular price, as shown in FIG. 16(A).

At 6 p.m. on the same day, three minutes after the scene in FIG. 16(A), the mobile terminal 70 displays (re-registers) the registered product (seasonal nigiri sushi) as 15% off, as shown in FIG. 16(B). In other words, at 6 p.m. on the same day, the product will be discounted by 15%, so the cloud server 10B adds the discount rate for the product to the cart file and transmits the discount rate for the product to the mobile terminal 70. As a result, the mobile terminal 70 displays the product (seasonal nigiri sushi) with the product label in FIG. 2(A) as 15% off, as shown in FIG. 16(B). In the example shown in FIG. 16(B), the mobile terminal 70 displays a message MS01 indicating that the product subject to the discount promotion will be discounted. Mobile terminal 70 may erase message MS01 (and message MS02 as well) based on a predetermined operation (e.g., touching the area of the speech bubble displaying the message), or may erase message MS01 (and message MS02 as well) based on the passage of a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds) from the start of display regardless of operation. Mobile terminal 70 may also display message MS02 (not shown) informing users that the discount rate has changed for products that are subject to a discount promotion if the discount rate has changed.

If there is an unsold product identical to the product whose barcode has been read but that is a better deal (a product whose selling price is lower than the product whose barcode has been read because its expiration date (or sell-by date) is approaching), the mobile terminal 70 temporarily suspends the registration of the product whose barcode has been read and notifies the customer of the existence of the better deal (or may recommend the purchase of the better deal).

As a specific example, the product label in FIG. 2(C) is printed and issued on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, and the product label in FIG. 2(D) is printed and issued on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. In other words, the product label for the mixed salad (product label in FIG. 2(C)) is printed and issued at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 27, and the product label for the mixed salad (product label in FIG. 2(D)) is printed and issued the following day, Wednesday, July 28, at 11:00 a.m.

For example, if the mobile terminal 70 reads the barcode printed on the product label of FIG. 2(D) at 13:00 on Wednesday, July 28th, it will display the small screen SG02 as shown in FIG. 16(C).

That is, the mobile terminal 70 transmits the barcode information of the product with the product label in Figure 2 (D) (assorted salad produced at 11:00 on Wednesday, July 28th) to the cloud server 10B. The cloud server 10B refers to the product label issuance file and the discount schedule file to determine whether there is an unsold product that is the same product (assorted salad) as the product read by the mobile terminal 70 (assorted salad produced at 11:00 on Tuesday, July 28th) but has a lower selling price than the product read by the mobile terminal 70. If cloud server 10B determines that there is an unsold product that is the same as the product read by mobile terminal 70 but has a lower selling price than the product read by mobile terminal 70 (i.e., if cloud server 10B determines that the mixed salad made at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 27th is currently (1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 28th) being sold at a 20% discount), cloud server 10B notifies mobile terminal 70 of the date mark, discount mark, and discount rate printed on the product label (product label in FIG. 2(C)) of the product (mixed salad made at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 27th). Mobile terminal 70 that receives the notification displays small screen SG02 as shown in FIG. 16(C).

If the purchase button BT605 is operated, the mobile terminal 70 erases the small screen SG02 and registers the scanned product. For example, the mobile terminal 70 notifies the cloud server 10B that the product will be registered, and the cloud server 10B adds the product information of the product to the cart file of the mobile terminal 70 and transmits the product information to the mobile terminal 70. On the other hand, if the product change button BT606 is operated, the mobile terminal 70 erases the small screen SG02 and cancels the scanning of the product. For example, the mobile terminal 70 notifies the cloud server 10B that the product will not be registered, and the cloud server 10B discards the product information of the product (does not add it to the cart file of the mobile terminal 70).

Figure 17 is a display example of a mobile terminal 70. When the mobile terminal 70 captures an image of three products (pork steak, fried shrimp, and meatballs) on a display stand as shown in Figure 17 (A), it may display information about each product using AR (Augmented Reality) technology as shown in Figure 17 (B). It is assumed that no discount plan is set for the pork steak and fried shrimp, but a discount plan is set for the meatballs. Specifically, it is assumed that the meatballs have the product label shown in Figure 2 (B) affixed to them. The product with the product label shown in Figure 2 (B) will be 20% off from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 (Figure 14 (B)), but the current time is, for example, 9:30 p.m. on the same day, and is 20% off.

In the example shown in FIG. 17(B), the mobile terminal 70 displays in AR the product name and regular price for each product (symbols a-c). Furthermore, for meatballs, which are the subject of a discount promotion and are actually discounted by 20%, the mobile terminal 70 displays in AR the details of the discount ("Currently 20% off from what is displayed") (symbol d), and displays in AR information to draw attention to the discount (an image showing "Great Deal!!" within a star-shaped polygon) (symbol e). The display contents of the AR display need only be stored in a location accessible by the mobile terminal 70. Note that while the example shown in FIG. 17 shows a case where multiple products are imaged, the same applies when a single product is imaged.

An AR marker corresponding to each product may be printed on the product label of each product (or a label with an AR marker printed on it may be affixed separately to the product label), and the mobile terminal 70 may perform AR display (symbols a-e) based on the read AR marker. For AR display related to discounts (symbols d and e), the AR marker may be a "date mark and discount mark." Since it is possible to identify the product and the presence or absence and content of the "date mark and discount mark" from the barcode printed on the product label (symbol a in FIG. 13, FIG. 14), the mobile terminal 70 may recognize the barcode (i.e., cause the barcode to function as an AR marker) and perform AR display.

The mobile terminal 70 may determine whether to execute AR display depending on the imaging distance. For example, if the distance to the product is within a predetermined distance (e.g., if the size of the captured barcode is equal to or larger than a predetermined size), the product may be registered, and if the distance to the product is less than the predetermined distance (e.g., if the size of the captured barcode is less than a predetermined size), AR display may be performed for the product as shown in FIG. 17. Alternatively or in addition to the above, the mobile terminal 70 may determine whether to execute AR display depending on settings (e.g., setting information based on a customer's setting operation on the mobile terminal 70. The setting information may be stored in the mobile terminal 70 or in another device such as the cloud server 10B).

In FIG. 17B, an area (a speech bubble area, a star-shaped polygon area) that serves as the background for the text is displayed in the through image, and the text is displayed within this background, but the text may be displayed directly in the through image. When displaying text directly in the through image, text may be displayed in a color different from that of the through image, or text may be outlined in a color different from that of the through image. The AR display may also be moving (scrolling text, animation, etc.).

The above describes an embodiment, which allows discounts to be achieved more effectively.

(Modifications, etc.)
Although the embodiment has been described above, the device configuration, data configuration, processing flow, display and output modes, etc. can be appropriately changed, for example, as shown in the following (1), (2), etc. In addition, the following (1), (2), etc. may be appropriately combined.

(1) In the above embodiment, the expiration date is used, but the best-before date may be used instead of or in addition to the expiration date.

(2) In the above embodiment, when a discount plan is executed (when the discount plan area presence/absence field is set to "Yes"), the label printing device 30 notifies the user of the discount plan (displays the small screen SG01) after the operation of the print button BT14 is accepted. However, instead of or in addition to after the operation of the print button BT14 is accepted, the discount plan may be notified before the operation of the print button BT14 is accepted (for example, when a plan code is entered in the plan code field in the discount plan area).

(3) In the above embodiment, the date mark was described as a mark indicating the date (including the day of the week) on which the product's sell-by date falls, but the date mark may be a mark indicating the date (including the day of the week) on which the product's best-by date falls. Furthermore, the date mark does not have to include the day of the week. Furthermore, the date mark may include the month.

(4) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which a mark that combines a plan mark (plan code) (FIG. 8(B)) and a sales management type mark (FIG. 8(A)) that indicates a sales management type is used as a discount mark. For example, in the above embodiment, a discount mark "chopsticks + A" is created by combining "chopsticks" that indicates plan 1 (plan code "00001") and "A" that indicates sales management type 01, and a discount mark "spoon + C" is created by combining "spoon" that indicates plan 2 (plan code "00002") and "C" that indicates sales management type 03. Alternatively, a mark that indicates a combination of a plan code and a sales management type may be used as a discount mark. For example, a discount mark "tulip" may be used as a discount mark that indicates a combination of plan 1 (plan code "00001") and sales management type 01, and a discount mark "morning glory" may be used as a discount mark that indicates a combination of plan 2 (plan code "00002") and sales management type 03. In other words, a single mark may be used as the discount mark in place of the plan mark and the sales management type mark. If the discount mark is a combination of a plan mark indicating a plan (plan code) and a sales management type mark indicating a sales management type, the store clerk can relatively easily recognize the plan and the sales management type from the discount mark. On the other hand, if the discount mark is a mark indicating a combination of the plan code and the sales management type, the information is consolidated and simplified, improving the appearance of the product label and the notification on the display device 60.

(5) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the date mark and the discount mark were output (printed, displayed) side by side, but as in (4) above, a single mark may be displayed in place of the date mark and the discount mark.

(6) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which multiple ongoing discount plans were distinguished by various marks (plan mark, sales management type mark, discount mark, date mark), but instead of or in addition to marks, they may be distinguished by patterns (overall or partial background patterns) or decorations (for example, display modes such as frames and lines). In other words, in the above embodiment, a mark is used to notify discount information specified by the mark, but a mark and other elements (frames, lines, etc.) may be used to notify discount information specified by the mark and other elements, or only other elements may be used to notify discount information specified by the other elements.

(7) In the above embodiment, an example in which discount information is notified on the display device 60 has been described, but the device that notifies discount information is not limited to the display device 60. For example, instead of or in addition to the display device 60, discount information may be notified on one or more of the transaction status management device 40, the registration device 52 (described later), the registration settlement device 54 (described later), the registration settlement device 55 (described later), and a smartphone or tablet terminal used by a store clerk. Also, discount information may be notified on a mobile terminal 70 used by a customer. For example, the mobile terminal 70 may notify discount information based on a predetermined operation. As an example, a discount information display button may be provided on the menu screen or registration screen of the mobile terminal 70, and when the discount information button is operated, discount information similar to the discount information displayed by the display device 60 may be displayed. Also, discount information may be displayed on the electronic shelf tag of each product. For example, the electronic shelf tag may display the normal selling price and discount information on the same screen, or may alternately display the normal price and discount information.

(8) In the above embodiment, the display device 60 reports the current discount rate as discount information. However, the display device 60 may report past discount rates as well as the current discount rate as discount information. In other words, the display device 60 may report the price reduction (progression). The display device 60 may report past discount rates in a way that makes it clear that they are past discount rates. For example, the display device 60 may display past discount rates in a smaller size than the current discount rate, may display past discount rates in a grayed-out manner, or may display past discount rates with a strikethrough such as a double line. The same applies to devices other than the display device 60 (for example, the transaction status management device 40, the registration device 52, the registration settlement device 54, the registration settlement device 55, smartphones used by store clerks, mobile terminals 70, and electronic shelf labels, as shown in (7) above).

(9) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the display device 60 notifies the current discount rate as discount information, but the display device 60 may also notify future discount rates as discount information. As in (8) above, the same applies to devices other than the display device 60.

(10) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which a discount rate was notified for each "date mark and discount mark," but the product (product name) corresponding to the "date mark and discount mark" may also be displayed. For example, the product (product name) may be displayed based on a specified operation. As shown in FIG. 3(B), when multiple "date marks and discount marks" are displayed, products with product labels on which a specified "date mark and discount mark" is printed may be displayed (listed) based on an operation to specify one "date mark and discount mark," or products with product labels on which each "date mark and discount mark" is printed may simply be displayed (listed) for each "date mark and discount mark" based on a specified operation.

(11) In the above embodiment, it was described that multiple display devices 60 may be installed, but information according to the installation location (e.g., the produce section, the fresh fish section, the meat section, the lunch box and prepared food section, etc.) may also be displayed. In other words, the display content may differ depending on the display location of the product. Specifically, display location information (or sales area information) for each product may be managed, and when a discount is applied to a certain product due to a discount promotion, the discount information may be displayed on a display device 60 near the product (or a display device 60 within a specified distance from the position of the product). Similarly, information according to the installation location may be displayed for electronic shelf tags.

(12) In the above embodiment, Plan 5, in which the discount rates for each time period are all undetermined, was described as a plan that allows for flexible response based on the sales status of products after they are put on display, but the method of responding flexibly based on the sales status, etc. is not limited to this.

For example, instead of or in addition to the plan (Plan 5) in which the discount rates for all time periods are undetermined, a plan may be prepared in which the discount rates for some time periods (e.g., time periods with more time remaining until the sales deadline) are specifically set and the discount rates for some other time periods (e.g., time periods with less time remaining until the sales deadline, i.e., the final time periods) are undetermined.

For example, for plans (e.g., plans 1 to 4) in which the discount rate for each time period is specifically set, the time and discount rate may be made changeable. For example, in the case of plan 3, as shown in FIG. 7, the discount rate is set to 50% two hours before the sales deadline, but if sales are good before that time, the time at which the discount rate is changed from 30% to 50% may be changed from two hours before the sales deadline to one hour before the sales deadline (the time when the 50% discount rate begins to be applied may be delayed by one hour), or the discount rate applied two hours before the sales deadline may be changed from 50% to 30% (the discount rate may be maintained at 30% until the sales deadline).

As explained above, the sales system 1 can determine whether an item has sold out based on the number of items manufactured (number of labels issued) and the number that have passed through the register, but it can also determine the sales status of the item in a similar manner. Therefore, the transaction status management device 40 (server 10, lower controller 20, label printing device 30, display device 60, registration and settlement device 50, etc.) can determine an undetermined discount rate for plan 5 etc. based on the sales status of the item by hour, or change the time or discount rate for a plan in which a specific discount rate is set for each time period. This can automatically delay or not discount items that are selling well, for example.

(13) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the mobile terminal 70 displayed AR based on the product label, but AR may also be displayed by reading an electronic shelf label.

(14) In the above embodiment, a discount plan in which the degree of discount is expressed as a percentage (e.g., 10% off the regular price) has been described. However, instead of or in addition to a discount plan in which the degree of discount is expressed as a percentage, a discount plan in which the degree of discount is expressed as a discount amount (e.g., 30 yen off) may be used.

(15) In the above embodiment, a discount plan was described in which a target product (such as a product with a short time left until its sales deadline) was sold at a special sale price as a benefit to customers who purchase the target product. However, the benefit to customers who purchase the target product is not limited to selling it at a special sale price. For example, instead of or in addition to selling the target product at a special sale price, special points may be awarded on the condition that the target product is purchased, or a special coupon may be issued on the condition that the target product is purchased.

(16) In the above embodiment, the store's business hours are described as 10AM to 10PM (12 hours), but the business hours are not limited to the above (it may be open 24 hours). In the above embodiment, an example is described in which products are manufactured at 11AM (before noon) and 4PM (in the evening), but the number of times products are manufactured in a day and the time of manufacture are not limited to the above. In the above embodiment, an example is described in which products with a best-by date of 12 or 24 hours are manufactured, but the best-by date of the manufactured products is not limited to the above (it does not have to be two types). In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the discount promotion schedule is set in one-hour increments, but it may be set in one-minute increments.

(17) In the above embodiment, the sales deadline is described as depending on the manufacturing time and the length of the expiration date for each product (FIGS. 4, 5, 6), but the sales deadline may be the closing time on the manufacturing date regardless of the manufacturing time or type of product. In other words, if there is no problem with the expiration date for any product manufactured at any time as long as it is sold by closing time on the manufacturing date (if there is a certain amount of time until the expiration date even if the product manufactured at opening time with the shortest expiration date is sold at closing time), the sales deadline may be set to the closing time on the manufacturing date as a sold-out product on that day.

(18) In the above embodiment, the registration and settlement device 50 and the settlement device 51 are described as POS registers installed in the store in the sales system 1, but other types of POS registers may be installed. For example, instead of or in addition to the registration and settlement device 50 and the settlement device 51, one or more of a device (registration device 52) where the store clerk registers products, a device (settlement device 53) where the store clerk settles the payments for the products registered by the registration device 52, and a device (registration and settlement device 54) where the store clerk registers products and settles the payments may be installed. A device (registration and settlement device 55) that has multiple operating modes (such as an operating mode in which it operates as the registration and settlement device 50, an operating mode in which it operates as the registration device 52, an operating mode in which it operates as the settlement device 53, etc.) and operates in one switchable operating mode may be installed.

(19) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which a customer uses a mobile terminal 70 to register products at the display location, but the device does not have to be a mobile terminal 70 as long as it is a mobile (portable) device that can register products at the product display location. For example, products may be registered using a tablet terminal (owned by an individual customer (or corporation), or a tablet terminal loaned by the store) or a shopping cart with a display unit (or a display device that can be attached and detached to the shopping cart). The shopping cart may be equipped with an electronic tag recognition unit that recognizes information from an electronic tag. The shopping cart may be equipped with a storage unit that stores power to be supplied to the display unit, and a charging unit that charges the storage unit with power.

(20) Some or all of the functions (input/output, storage, processing (including judgment)) of the label printing device 30 in the above embodiment may be realized in a device other than the device described as the executing entity of the function. For example, at least some of the processing described using FIG. 12(A) as the processing of the label printing device 30 may be executed by the store controller 20 or the server 10 instead of the label printing device 30. In relation to the above, the label printing device 30 may function as a so-called thin client specialized for input/output interfaces including sensor input. The same applies to the registration settlement device 50, settlement device 51, registration device 52, settlement device 53, registration settlement device 54, registration settlement device 55, and display device 60.

<Overview of the embodiment>
[Technical field]
The present invention relates to a label issuing device.
[Background technology]
There is known a technique for printing discount information on a product label (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-233663).
[Prior art documents]
[Patent Documents]
[Patent Document 1] JP 2012-185731 A [Summary of the Invention]
[Problem to be solved by the invention]
However, there is room for improvement in terms of discounts. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technology for more appropriately realizing discounts.
[Means for solving the problems]

(1) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a label issuing device (e.g., label printing device 30) that issues product labels, and includes: a receiving unit (e.g., a display unit that can receive touch operations) that receives information about a product for which a product label is to be issued; and an issuing unit (e.g., a printing unit) that issues a product label (e.g., see FIG. 2 ) that includes at least the product name, the selling price, and the expiration date or best-before date of the product, and the receiving unit is capable of receiving information about a discount (e.g., see FIG. 11 ). ), the issuing means is a label issuing device characterized in that, when information regarding a discount is accepted by the accepting means, the issuing means issues a product label (e.g., see FIG. 2) on which the sales deadline of the product (e.g., "Tuesday the 27th" of code c in FIG. 2(A), "Wednesday the 28th" of code c in FIG. 2(C) etc.) and discount notification information notifying that a discount will be applied (e.g., "chopsticks + A" of code b in FIG. 2(A), "spoon + C" of code b in FIG. 2(B), etc.) are printed in an area different from the area in which the expiration date or best before date of the product is printed.
According to the configuration of (1), it is possible to realize a discount more effectively. For example, the burden on store clerks can be reduced by printing the sales deadline and discount notification information on the product label.

(2) The label issuing device described in (1) is characterized in that the issuing means issues a product label on which the discount notification information corresponding to the time period during which the product label is issued is printed (for example, the "A" in "chopsticks + A" and the "C" in "spoon + C" relate to the time period during which the product label is issued (Figures 4 and 8 (A))).
According to the second aspect, a discount can be more effectively achieved. For example, a product label on which appropriate discount notification information is printed can be automatically issued.

(3) The label issuing device described in (1) or (2) is characterized in that the issuing means issues a product label on which the discount notification information corresponding to the expiration date or the best-before date is printed (for example, the "A" in "chopsticks + A" and the "C" in "spoon + C" relate to the expiration date (FIG. 4, FIG. 8(A))).
According to the third aspect, a discount can be more effectively achieved. For example, a product label on which appropriate discount notification information is printed can be automatically issued.

(4) The label issuing device described in any of (1) to (3) is characterized in that the issuing means issues a product label on which the discount notification information corresponding to the content of the discount (e.g., a promotion code) is printed (for example, the "chopsticks" in "chopsticks + A" and the "spoon" in "spoon + C" are related to the promotion code (Figure 8 (B))).
According to the fourth aspect, a discount can be more effectively achieved. For example, a product label on which appropriate discount notification information is printed can be automatically issued.

(5) The label issuing device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the discount notification information is a discount notification image that notifies the user that a discount will be applied.
According to the configuration of (5), a discount can be realized more preferably. For example, the discount can be intuitively understood.

(6) The label issuing device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the sell-by date is a date based on the expiration date or best-before date and business hours.
According to the configuration of (6), it is possible to realize a discount more suitably. For example, it is possible to implement a discount based on a reasonable sales deadline.

In addition, a program for implementing the functions of each of the above-described devices (server 10, store controller 20, label printing device 30, transaction status management device 40, registration settlement device 50, settlement device 51, etc.) may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to process each of the above devices. Here, "reading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into a computer system. The "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. In addition, the "computer system" may include multiple computer devices connected via a network including the Internet, WAN, LAN, dedicated lines, and other communication lines. In addition, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. In this way, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. In addition, the recording medium also includes a recording medium provided inside or outside and accessible from a distribution server to distribute the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program in a format executable by the terminal device. In other words, as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a format executable by the terminal device, the format in which it is stored in the distribution server does not matter. The program may be divided into multiple parts, downloaded at different times, and then combined on the terminal device, or each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" includes a memory that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network. The program may also be a program for realizing part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

Reference Signs List 1... Sales system 10... Server 20... Store controller 30... Label printing device 40... Transaction status management device 50... Registration and settlement device 60... Display device 70... Mobile terminal

Claims (5)

A label issuing device that issues product labels based on an operation by a store clerk ,
A reception means for receiving operations by a store clerk ;
an issuing means for printing at least the product name, the selling price, and the expiration date or best-before date of the product based on an operation by a store clerk to issue a product label for the product accepted by the accepting means , and issuing a product label on which the selling date of the product and discount notification information notifying that a discount will be applied are printed in an area different from the area on which the expiration date or best-before date of the product is printed ;
The issuing means is
A label issuing device which issues product labels on which the discount notification information corresponding to the time period during which the product labels are issued is printed. The discount notification information is
Mark
2. The label issuing device according to claim 1. A system including a label issuing device that issues product labels based on an operation by a store clerk ,
The label issuing device includes:
A reception means for receiving operations by a store clerk ;
an issuing means for printing at least the product name, the selling price, and the expiration date or best-before date of the product based on an operation by a store clerk to issue a product label for the product accepted by the accepting means , and issuing a product label on which the selling date of the product and discount notification information notifying that a discount will be applied are printed in an area different from the area on which the expiration date or best-before date of the product is printed ;
The issuing means is
A system for issuing product labels on which the discount notification information corresponding to the time period during which the product labels are issued is printed. A display device,
The display device includes:
The discount notification information can be displayed.
4. The system of claim 3. A program for causing a label issuing device that issues product labels based on operations by a store clerk to function as a computer ,
The computer,
A reception means for receiving operations by a store clerk ;
an issuing means for printing at least the product name, the selling price, and the expiration date or best-before date of the product based on an operation of a store clerk to issue a product label for the product accepted by the accepting means , and issuing a product label on which the selling date of the product and discount notification information notifying that a discount will be applied are printed in an area different from the area on which the expiration date or best-before date of the product are printed.
Function as a
The issuing means is
A program for issuing a product label on which the discount notification information corresponding to the time period during which the product label is issued is printed.

Images